KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) today hit back at the Transport Authority for its increase of the licensing fees for both Hackney Carriage and Route Taxi operators in Jamaica.

In a letter this afternoon, the transport group described the increase as inhumane and, “another oppressive act put on transport operators by the government through the Transport Authority”.

The Transport Authority in announcing the increase reportedly said that the move was necessary to offset increased operational costs.

But JATOO argued that transport operators have to face on a daily basis the increased cost of gas, the increase in cost of imported parts brought on by the runaway exchange rate, the increase in cost caused by the gas tax, the lack of security on the various routes, while at no time getting a fare increase “in this price controlled sector of Jamaica”.

The group suggested that in order to reduce their cost of operation, the Authority should sell the building at the corner of Duke Street and North Street in Kingston, which is costing at least one million dollars monthly for being an abandoned building.

“With the more intensive operation by the police force, they, the Transport Authority, can cut staff. This staff has always been an ineffective duplicating ‘Police Force’ in reality,” JATOO stated in its letter.

“We urge the Transport Authority to look internally for cost savings measures instead of putting the cost of their incompetence on transport operators.

There is something morally and economically wrong with a governance system where a regulatory fee can be arbitrarily changed without any consultation with the affected parties. In this sector where productive operators cannot receive an increase in fares for over five years, yet the non- productive enforcement agency of the sector can receive an increase,” JATOO added.

The Transport Authority on Friday announced that effective Monday, October 1 processing fees for Hackney Carriage and Route Taxi Licence as follows:

1) Hackney Carriage Licence — new and renewal will now be $25,000.00

2) Route Taxi Licence – new and renewal will now be $15,000.00

This increase in processing fees will serve to offset the mounting administrative costs associated with the monitoring and regulating of the services being offered to the sector, the Authority said